No argument that they're going to have to use 8 skaters, but I don't see it as such a dire situation, leaving three additional forwards unprotected.

Outside of 91, 29, 27, 18...what current forwards are so unbelievably important that we can't afford to lose? Nobody is touching Cizikas with that contract. Clutterbuck is probably about to play his final year in an Isles jersey, so they're not gonna touch him. If they took Bailey or Kulemin I'd probably throw an expensive party.

We'll have to wait and see who the new faces are next year, but as of right now...there aren't more than 4 forwards that I'd care about protecting anyway.
- eichiefs9

I wonder if that played a factor in giving him that contract.

I wonder if that played a factor in giving him that contract.
- Ddomnitch

I thought about it that night, honestly. But I think it's a bit of a stretch to think they'd do that. It would kinda be "cutting off your nose to spite your face".

He's going to be 29 this November. Physical guys tend to fall apart quickly when it happens. I'd love to bring him back, but I'd understand the logic if they didn't. Clutterbuck could be looking for north of $4M when his time comes and if he is, I couldn't blame the Isles for not giving it to him.

Dear god, I have a feeling I'm going to open the floodgates with this comment.


- eichiefs9

He does more then just hit. He can score, kill penalties and take the body like you said. I understand he might be asking for 4 plus but I still want him after this year

I thought about it that night, honestly. But I think it's a bit of a stretch to think they'd do that. It would kinda be "cutting off your nose to spite your face".
- eichiefs9

Or would that be better exemplified by giving Brian Strait a new contract, say $2 million per for the next 5 seasons....

He does more then just hit. He can score, kill penalties and take the body like you said. I understand he might be asking for 4 plus but I still want him after this year
- Vukota

Yeah I didn't say he couldn't do those other things. All I meant was that guys who play a physical game tend to wear down quicker and when it does happen, they deteriorate really quick.

Or would that be better exemplified by giving Brian Strait a new contract, say $2 million per for the next 5 seasons....
- JohnScammo

No that would be cutting off your Richard to spite your Richard

That's not true
- Vukota

You can protect 3d, and you have to protect players with no move deals. Boychuk has to be protected and that leaves you 2 more d to protect.

Unless you protect 8 skaters and then we can only protect 4 forwards if you protect 4d

No that would be cutting off your Richard to spite your Richard
- eichiefs9

You can protect 3d, and you have to protect players with no move deals. Boychuk has to be protected and that leaves you 2 more d to protect.
- Isles_since_6

They could just protect 8 players total if they want and most likely will have to do so they don't lose either Hamonic, Leddy or Pulock

You can protect 3d, and you have to protect players with no move deals. Boychuk has to be protected and that leaves you 2 more d to protect.

Unless you protect 8 skaters and then we can only protect 4 forwards if you protect 4d
- Isles_since_6

Correct which I think they will do

Correct which I think they will do
- Vukota

They would right now for sure, but if we add to our forwards this summer as we hope, now we're looking at exposing two top six forwards. I don't like these rules.

Yeah I didn't say he couldn't do those other things. All I meant was that guys who play a physical game tend to wear down quicker and when it does happen, they deteriorate really quick.
- eichiefs9

I agree but I still think he can be an effective player even if he doesn't hit as much in the future. Guys like Martin are going to be completely useless when that happens

They would right now for sure, but if we add to our forwards this summer as we hope, now we're looking at exposing two top six forwards. I don't like these rules.
- Isles_since_6

Yeah it might come down to who do they value more one of the D or one of the young forwards?

I agree but I still think he can be an effective player even if he doesn't hit as much in the future. Guys like Martin are going to be completely useless when that happens
- Vukota

I'm going to just drop this subject before it grows to a big to handle.

We'll revisit this next year.

I'm going to just drop this subject before it grows to a big to handle.

We'll revisit this next year.
- eichiefs9

Yeah lets get back to Cappy & Snow

if you figure the isles get 50 mil (I believe it's 53, but say 50), their tv deal gets them say 24 mil, that already covers spending to the cap.

It's kind of the key reason why the new owners put down a lot more money than the team was valued at.
- Isles_since_6

6, I do believe that the 50 - 53 million is the most the Isles could be paid by the deal.
I do believe it is an attendance sensitive agreement I don't have 100% confirmation of that however it does make sense or Barclays are smucks signing a 50 million dollar deal without any guarantees imho.

Yeah lets get back to Cappy & Snow
- Vukota

- eichiefs9

Walk it off

Chicago blogger thinks the cap will go up 1-2 million for this year

so you are attributing Pens success on Sullivan. I would think Crosby, Malkin, Kessell, Letang, Hornquist and Murray had a bit more to do with it.

Sullivan was coach of bruins and got fired in 2003. was assistant coach on 3 other teams, and then was interim coach when torts got fired in Vancouver only to fired himself at end of season. Come on.

Coaches only do so much. We can all hate cappy (which I agree he does lot of buffoon stuff) but he has done a good job. In fact his Coaching record is better than Sullivans.
- Spartiarti

What changed other than the coach and structure before the change,
After Suli took over Crosby for sure and the players in general all played better,
Of course the players have to buy in to his system and execute but I would have to give a lot of credit to the new staff.

What changed other than the coach and structure before the change,
After Suli took over Crosby for sure and the players in general all played better,
Of course the players have to buy in to his system and execute but I would have to give a lot of credit to the new staff.
- nyisles7

Of course, the coach makes a difference. By spartiati's reasoning, since Al Arbour was unsuccessful coaching the Blues, he did not contribute to the Islanders' success.

Of course, the coach makes a difference. By spartiati's reasoning, since Al Arbour was unsuccessful coaching the Blues, he did not contribute to the Islanders' success.
- JohnScammo

So true JS.
You need the right conductor to make the whole symphony work.
Without Al that team wouldn't have been that successful.

Chicago blogger thinks the cap will go up 1-2 million for this year
- Vukota

It has been reported as a possibility, but I'm still pretty sure that guy makes up between 99%-100% of the things he hears from "sources".

Keyword is "may" and if Greiss is viewed as comparable to someone else out there but costs 1/3 as much..he may be the more attractive option. Let's not pretend that an expansion team is going to spend to the cap in their first year of existence. They'll be looking for value.
- eichiefs9

penguins will only be able to proetect one a Murray, Fleury and Tristan Jarry.
jets will have to expose Hellebuyck or Comrie
Bruins will have to expose Rask or Subban
Canadians will have to expose Fucale
Ducks will have to expose Andersson (if he isn't traded) or Gibson
Stars will have to expose Niemi or Lethenon

if you are starting a franchise their is alot to like here. also vegas will spend.. they will have the money and they have to get to the floor at least

Chicago blogger thinks the cap will go up 1-2 million for this year
- Vukota

Easier to sign Stamkos.